Zach of All Trades/Zach Kukkonen

Letting go is hard to do

June 14, 2012

As the wife and I prepare for an upcoming yard sale, we got into a few minor quibbles over things I hesitated about selling.

"You haven't used our VCR in years, why do you need to keep it or your 10 VHS tapes?" she logically asked.

"But..."

Well, I didn't really have a decent answer that didn't involve my oversentimental, packrat tendencies. The truth is, I haven't watched anything on VHS in at least five years, and as much as I treasure my complete series of "Monty Python's Flying Circus" on VHS, it's really just taking up space.

My inability to let go of old technologies is a neverending battle. For some reason, I keep a handheld version of Monopoly, despite the fact I have the actual board game as well as a version on my phone. I still have my Nintendo and Super Nintendo, and would have my Atari 2600 as well if it worked. When cleaning the house, I found a Discman I hadn't seen in years along with a Game Boy.

There's no earthly reason for me to keep these things, yet it's difficult for me to let go despite the fact I haven't utilized them in several years. The nostalgic streak inside me wants to keep it for future generations, or to pull it out in 20 years and relive the "glory days."

However, when you're finding things you didn't even remember you had, perhaps I can let somebody else enjoy it for a while. So as sad as it may be to wave goodbye to my football-shaped electronic Trivial Pursuit game, or the original "Pokmon" game for the Game Boy, it's time for them to pass on to a newer generation (or someone from my generation - which seems to have a fascination with nostalgia and things from our youth).